Feeler mechanism for looms



May 1, 1923.

P. J. HUNT FEELER MECHANISM FOR Looms Filed March 29, 1922 I for:

ATfP/C/fel HUNT Patented May 1, 1923.

umran stares earner FFHCE.

tease PATRICK J. HUNT, or NEW BEDFORD, IJIASSACHUSET-TS, ,essrenoa To 'DRAP R coa- PORATION, or HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A COR OR ION or MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM ron Looms. 7

Application filed March 29, 1922. Serial No. 547,620.

T 0 all 10 ham it may concern citizen of the United States, residing at'Ne-w Bedford, inthe county of Bristol and State ofMassachusetts. have invented aIllIIlPIUVement in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection'with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the draw ings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms forlooms whereby the operative condition of the loom is changed from time to time. i v

In feeler mechanisms-whereint-he feeler enters the shut-tle'and engages the filling on detecting beats of the lay, the recurring impacts of the feeler'against the filling' are liable to injure the latter, especially where the yarn is tender as incop filling. The

injurious effect of the recurring impacts of the feeler are also observable in shuttles containing soft or very fine filling, especially for engaging the filling. Injury is liable to occur to the filling carrier in the shuttle in that type of feeler mechanism wherein the feeler is moved longitudinally'of the filling carrier when filling is to be changed. Moreover, in cop filling'carriers the character of the carrier itself does not present a surface along which the feeler may be moved when the filling is substantially exhausted.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a feeler mechanism wherein the feeler and shuttle shall be constructed and arranged so that the recurring impacts of thefeeler against the filling may be avoided, and when the feeler calls the change of filling by sliding movement longitudinally of the shuttle, the filling carrier itself will he protected from injury.

In accordance with the present invention,

the feeler is mounted to enter the shuttle on detecting beats and the shuttle has an opening for the entrance of the feeler "which opening is covered by, a flexible curtain to protect the filling in the shuttle and present a surface along whichthe feeler may slide when it partakes of its side-slipping move ment.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of sufficient portions of a 100111 with the present invention associated therewith to make clear the relation ando'peration of the parts;

,Fig. 2 is a cr'oss'section through the shuttle at'the'curtain-protected opening, showing more particularly the bodily movement of thefieXible curtain by the feeler when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle; l i I I a Fig. '3 is a detail with parts broken away, showing the feeler and its action when used connection with a cop filling carrier. The replenishing inechanismby which "a fresh supply of filling is placed in the shuttle from time to time, is not herein illustrated, nor i's'the entire train of mechanism betwecn the feeler and filling replenishment mecha iism ilhist'rated, bec ause the details of each of'these mechanisms are unimportant so far the present invention'is concerned, and may be of we'll known character,

The feeler' of the present invention isof the side-slipping type, and in the illustrated form of the invention it is shown as entering i the 'shuttle in a' direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle on a dete'cting beat; Certain advantages'incident to'the present invention are more fully oh servable in the inclinedtype offeeler, but th present invention is notrestricted to this type, hecause feelers of other character or type may be employed in connection with theotherv features of the invention:

"The 10pm frame has extending therefrom the bracket of usual character, provided with a slot 2through WhichpasSes'th b lt 3 for adjiilstably connecting the feelerstand position.

4 has secured thereto the feeler stand 6 rovidedwith'the usual opening 7 and bolt 8- for' securing the parts inadjusted position.

4 with the feeler mechanism in operative The feelerjstand 6 serves as a support for 1 i the feeler and, as shown, is provided with the, swivel bearing 9'pivota-lly mounted at l l'ietweenthe bracket '11 and thefeeler stand,

through which the front end portion of the feeler 12 extends.

Therear portion of the feeler stand isi' 'provided with a rear bearing'13 provided with a guideway' for the slide 14 having a slotted portion 15 for the reciprocation from;

warclly and: rearwardly of the feeler 12. The ieeler Slide 14 is'connected by a transmittfi 16 to the usual train of mechanism for effect ing replenishment of filling. The parts so far described may be of the same general construction as shown and described in the patent to Edward S. Stimpson, No. 1,309,226, dated July 8, 1919, the construction being such that upon side-slipping movementof the feeler 12 in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, filling replenishment will be called.

The lav 17 is provided with the usual shuttle-box 18 at the detecting side thereof, and the front wall 19 of the shuttle-box has an opening 20 for the passage of the feeler. The shuttle 21 is provided with the holding jaws 2:? which engage theusua-l rings 23 on the head portion of the filling carrier.

in the illustrated form of the invention, the filling carrier 24 is shown as of the type for holding cop filling,- which is usually of tender yarn, and while the advantages of the invention are observable in this connec tion, the invention of course is not restricted to the use of cop filling carriers, but the usual bobbin may be employed in some instances and secure the advantages of the present invention.

The shuttle 21 has the opening 25 for the entrance of the feeler in discharging its feeling function as usual, and interposed between the end of the feeler and the filling carrier in the shuttle is a protector curtain which is engaged by the end of the feeler on a detecting beat and bodily moved inwardly, the effect being that the line, soft, or tender filling in the shuttle will not be injured by the recurring impacts of the feeler against it. The flexible curtain also extends longitudinally over the opening in the shuttle to an extent suflicient to provide a sliding surface along whichthe end of the feeler may slip while in engagement therewith when the feeler partakes of its side-slipping movement. Thus in case a bobbin is employed in the shuttle. its surface is protected from engagement by the end of the feeler. and in case of a cop filling carrier being in the shuttlev a surface is presented along and over which the. end of the feeler may slide when it is displaced laterally.

The flexible curtain 26 may be formed of material of yielding character. such for instance. as leather. rubber. or composition, and is secured to the shuttle to permit. its bodily movement inwardly by the end of the feeler on a detecting beat.

The flexible curtain 26 has secured to it the flexible strips whereby it is held in position over the opening in the shuttle and. yet permitted its bodily movement inwardly by the feeler. As shown in Fig. 1. the flexible curtain 26 has secured to its upper edge at 2? a fleizible strip 28 which extends longitudinally of the shuttle and is secured Lat ie npte from the curtain 26 as at 29,

and 30, to the inside of the shuttle. ,As shown, the connection between the curtain 26 and the flexible strip 28 is effected by sewing the two parts together, although other means of connecting the parts will suggest themselves. The lower edge portion of the flexible curtain 26 is secured in like manner along the portion 31 to a similar flexible strip 32 which extends longitudinally of the shuttle and is secured to the inside portion of the shuttle at 33 and 3 k at points remote from the curtain or open ing in the shuttle. The flexible strips 28 and 32 may be formed of elastic material if desired, such for instance as rubber web or the like, ,the purpose being to permit the flexible curtain 26 to be bodily displaced inwardly as indicated in Fig. 2 when engaged by the feeler on a detecting beat.

The flexible curtain 26 extends longitudinally of the shuttle to present abearing surface to the end of the feeler as indicated in Fig. 3. and along which the end of the feeler may slip or slide when it is displaced laterally to eifect replenishment of filling. Thus the flexible curtain 26 not only protects the filling in the shuttle from the in jurious direct contact of the feeler on detecting beats, but when the feeler moves longitudinally of the shuttle or is displaced laterally. the end of the feeler will slide along: the curtain out of engagement with the filling carrier in the shuttle.

The flexible curtain 26 is preferably, though not necessarily. formed of leather,

because leather presents not only the flexible character desired for the curtain. but also a frictional surface for engagement by the feeler' to prevent movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle by frontward pressure in case the feeler is of the inclined type. Preferably, also. the flesh side of the leather curtain 26 will be presented for contact by the feeler as it offers the desired frictional character of surface which acts on the end of the feeler to prevent displacement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle.

As shown in Figs. 1 and the engaging end portion 35 of the fccler is devoid of teeth. and has a rounded or smooth surface which. by frictional engagement with the surface of the flexible curtain. prevents dis placement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttlcby the frontwai'd pressure. where the feeler is of the inclined type. F hould the feeler be of the calipering or measuring type and be mounted for move ment longitudinally of the filling. its rear or engaging end portion may advantageously be made smooth or without teeth- Associated with the feeler is an auitiliary feelcr finger which. when the filling in the shuttle is substantially exhausted on a lid) detecting beat, and the feeler therefore enters the shuttle to an abnormal extent, engages a surface on the lay, the wall of the shuttle in the present illustration, and is moved longitudinally of the shuttle to thereby produce'lateral or sliding movement of the teelcr. The auxiliary feeler finger has its engaging end 36 offset from the feeler, and is preferably made rounded as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. The stem portion 37 ofthe auxiliary teeler finger is mounted in a lug 38 carried by the feeler, and is adjusted relatively thereto by means of the adjusting nuts 39, one at each side of the lug 38.

When a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the feeler engages theflexible curtain 26 and bodily deflects the curtain inwardly against the filling and then is moved frontwardly againstthe action of its normally acting spring 40 which permits such frontward movement of the feeler and serves to return the feeler to its rearward feeling position as the lay goesbaclnf Thus .on the recurring beats ofthelay, the filling in the shuttle, even though it be of fine or soft character such, for instance, as cop filling or silk, is-

not injuriously affected because the flexible material of the curtain 26 cushions the blow without permitting direct contact of the feeler with the filling. When filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, the flexible curtain 26 will again be deflected bodily inwardly, as the lay beats up, and substantially into the position indicated in .F 3, and then the end 36 of the auxiliary 'teeler finger will engage the shuttleor other surface carried by the lay and by irontward pressure thereagainst, cause the auxiliary finger and perforce the attached t'eeler, to be moved longitudinally of the shuttle, the

smooth end portion 35 of the feeler atsuch' times sliding along in contact with the surface of the flexible curtain. Thus the flexible curtain serves not only 'tonprotect the filling in the shuttle trom'injurious contact by the teeler on detecting beats, but affords protection'to the surface of the filling carrier in the shuttle from sliding contact with the end of the feeler when the latter partakes of its side-slipping movement.

What is claimed is:

1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is mounted for side-slipping movement'and also for movement toward and from the front of the loom. a shuttle having a side opening through which the teeler passes on a detecting beat, and a protector curtain of flexible material interposed between the end of the feeler and the filling carrier in the shuttle and along which the feeler slides in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat thereby protecting the filling and thefilling carrier frominjury by the feeler during both it-sfeeling action and side-slip ping movements. j V e 2. In a feeler mechanism for, looms, the

combination ofa feeler that is mounted for filling carrier in the shuttle and along which the iteeler slides ina direction longitudinally of the shuttle when filling is'substantially exhausted on, a detecting beat thereby protecting the filling and th e filling carrier from injury by the feeler during bothj-jits feeling action and side-slipping movements, and an auxiliary feeler finger carried by the ieeler to engage the shuttle and cause the end of the feeler to slip along the flexible curtaln in engagement therewith. 3. In a feeler -mechanism[for looms, the

combination of a feeler that is mounted for side-slipping movement andalso for movement toward and from the, front'of the loom,

a shuttle having a side opening through Y which the feeler passes on a detecting beat, a protector curtain of flexible material -.interposed between the end otthefee'ler and the filling carrierin the shuttle and along which the teeler slides in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat thereby proi tecting the filling and the filling carrier feeling action andside-slipping movements,

and an auxiliary feeler finger carried by the ieelertand having an'Otfset portion to engage the shuttle and cause the end ofthe from injury by the feel'er during both itsfl ieeler. toslip along the flexible curtain while in engagement therewith.

4. In a feeler mechanism for? l'ooms, the

combination of a feeler that is mounted-for side-slipping movement and alsotor move ment in a direction toward and. horn the front of the loom, a shuttle having an opening for the entrance of the teeler on adetec'ting beat,aprotector'curtain of flexible material which is secured to the shuttle to cover the entrance opening and extends longitudi? nally of the opening to form a bearing for I the end of the feeler for its full side-slipping movement to protect the filling and filling carrier frominjurious contact by the feeler,

and means for replenishing the filling when a the feeler slides along the flexible curtain on a detecting beat.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combinationo't a feeler that has a smooth rear end and is mounted for side-slipping movement and also for movement in adirection toward and from the front of the loom,

a shuttle having an opening for the entrance of the feeler on a detecting beat, a protector curtain of flexible material which is secured to the shuttle to cover the entrance opening and extends longitudinally of the opening to form a bearing for the end ofthe teeler for its full side-slipping movement to protect the filling and filling carrier from injurious contact by the teeler, and means for replenishing the filling when the teeler slides along the flexible curtain on a detect ing beat.

6. In a feeler mechanism tor looms, the combination of a 'feeler that is mounted for side-slipping movement and also in a direc tion toward and from the front of the loom. a shuttle cooperating with the teeler and having an opening for the entrance of the t'eeler, a protector curtain of flexible material covering the opening in the shuttle to protect the filling from contact by the teeler and forming an engaging surface along and in contact with which the teeler slides to protect the filling carrier from injury when a change of filling is called by the teeler, and yielding means for securing the flexible curtain in position over the shuttle opening for permissive bodily movement inwardly by the teeler on a detecting beat.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted tor sideslipping movement, a. shuttle having an opening for the entrance of the teeler on a detecting beat, a protector curtain o't flexible material covering the opening in the shuttle to protect the filling from engagement by the feeler on a detecting beat and the filling carrier from engagement by the teeler during its side-slipping movement, and a. yielding connection between the flexible curtain and the upper and lower portions of the shuttle that enable the teeler to bodily displace the flexible curtain inwardly 01 the shuttle.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for sideslipping movement, a shuttle having an opening for the entrance of the teeler on a detecting beat, a protector curtain of flexible material covering the opening in the shuttle to protect the filling from engagement by the feeler on a detecting beat and the filling carrier from engagement by the teeler during its side-slipping movement, and yielding strips connecting the flexible curtain and the shuttle.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted to enter the shuttle in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis thereof, a shuttle having an opening for the entrance of the feeler, a protector curtain of flexible material covering the opening in the shuttle to protect the filling from engagement by the feeler on at detecting beat, and acting to prevent sideslipping movement of the feeler along the flexible curtain, and an auxiliary teeler finger which engages the shuttle when filling is exhausted on a detecting beat and effects movement of the teeler along the surface of the flexible curtain.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a t'eeler mounted to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat, an auxiliary 'teeler finger adapted to engage a surface on the lay when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat and by trontward pressure of said surface to effect movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle, and a protector curtain interposed between the ieeler and filling carrier in the shuttle and along the surface of which the teeler moves as it is laterally displaced by frontward pressure against the auxiliary :teeler finger.

11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a teeler mounted for sideslipping movement, a shuttle having an opening for the entrance of the feeler, a protector curtain of flexible material covering the opening in the shuttle to protect the filling from contact by the feeler'and forming an engaging surface along and in contact with which the feeler slides to protect the filling carrier from contact by the feeler during its side-slipping movement, and a flexible strip secured to the flexible curtain and to the shuttle beyond the ends of the curtain to permit bodily movement of the curtain inwardly by the feeler.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. l

PATRICK J. HUNT. 

